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Prosecutor David Bennett told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court police were on patrol in Bentilee at midday on March 7 when they switched on their blue lights to attend an incident.

Mr Bennett said: “They approached the rear of the defendant’s car on Dividy Road but instead of pulling over like other vehicles, the defendant accelerated away and overtook a car.

“Realising something was amiss they pursued the Golf towards Park Hall. He drove around a roundabout three times and drove at 60mph in a 30mph zone. He went straight over another roundabout and drove at 80mph in a 40mph zone on Park Hall Road.

“He continued to overtake vehicles. As he approached the junction with Weston Road he reduced his speed to 40mph but drove through a red light before turning on to Weston Road.”

The cannabis recovered from the car and the house was worth £170.

Hough accepted selling cannabis to make some money and fund his own use of the drug.

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The defendant, of Ripon Road, Blurton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, being concerned in the supply of cannabis between February 1 and March 8, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the defendant lost his job just before Christmas.

Mr Muldoon said: “He is a young man who made a wrong decision, a stupid decision.

“He has now significantly reduced his cannabis usage. He is not committing crime to support his use.”

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Hough to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement, 160 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days.

Judge Glenn said: “You were driving this car in Bentilee when a police car was trying to respond to a different incident. You believed they were after you. That is why you drove in the way you did.